As a publishedbaking cookbook author, I’ve baked and developed MANY different cookie recipes. One of my all-time favorites is sugar cookies decorated with royal icing. In addition to all of the tested recipes on my website and in my books, I’m happy to share my top cookie decorating supplies that will set you up for success. The list on this page is a great place to start if you’re a cookie decorating novice, or if you’re looking to update your kitchen supplies.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate decorated cookies. If you’ve ever decorated a batch of cookies, you know how much work (and patience!) goes into each and every cookie. Whether you’re adding a simple swipe of vanilla buttercream, or applying fine detail onto snowman sugar cookies, decorating takes time. And while it may seem daunting to jump into the world of cookie decorating, I’m here to assure you that it doesn’t have to be!
With my tried-and-tested recipes for cut-out cookies like gingerbread cookies, chocolate sugar cookies, and sugar cookies, plus my top choices for icing including royal icing and my glaze-style cookie icing, bakers around the world have felt empowered to try cookie decorating in their own kitchens.
After many years of practice myself, I’ve acquired a handful of the best cookie decorating supplies and tools to help make cookie decorating a breeze. I’m happy to share a list of these products, all of which I own and love, with you today.
I also have a cookie decorating day guide, if you’d like to make a party out of it. Around here, we love our fun decorating days!
Best Cookie Decorating Supplies & Tools
All of the cookie decorating tools listed below are items I own. None of this post is sponsored—truly just items I love and am happy to recommend to fellow cookie decorators. A lot of these links are affiliate links. I include many of these items on myGifts for Bakerspage, too, where you’ll find 100+ carefully selected items that any baker (or you!) would love.
Electric Mixer
An electric mixer helps whip your royal icing or decorating buttercream into a perfect consistency. You can use either a hand mixer or stand mixer—your choice. If you make this easy glaze-style cookie icing, you do not need a mixer, just a whisk.
KitchenAid
Stand Mixer
A classic gift for any baker. The Matte Blue Velvet is a newer shade and gorgeous in person.
KitchenAid
Hand Mixer
One of my most-used kitchen tools. Mine (5-speed) is 13 years old and still running strong.
Meringue Powder & Food Coloring
There are many different ways to prepare royal icing, but my royal icing recipe relies on an ingredient called meringue powder. For food coloring, I always recommend gel. Liquid food coloring adds too much liquid to your batter, icing, dough, etc. This can be especially troublesome in royal icing, where the tiniest bit of extra liquid could throw off consistency. Plus, gel food coloring produces more vibrant, rich colors with just a small drop. These Wilton Gel Colors also work nicely as well, and they’re more readily available in some grocery stores and craft stores.
Piping Bags
Piping bags come in a variety of sizes, but I prefer the 16-inch bags because they fit a decent amount of icing, but are still easy to handle. You’ll want at least a few bags if you’re working with multiple colors, so grab a box of disposable piping bags or several reusable piping bags to make sure you’re covered.
Squeeze Bottles
If you don’t want to work with piping bags at all, you can use asqueeze bottleor these icing bottles from Michaels for less detailed designs. Squeeze bottles are my go-to when using this easy cookie icing, or when I’m decorating with young bakers or hosting a cookie decorating day.
Recommended Piping Tips
What I own and love: Wilton Tip #1, Wilton Tip #2, Wilton Tip #3,Wilton Tip #4, Wilton Tip #5
A handful of piping tips are key for making those crisp, precise icing designs. The piping tip numbers reflect their sizes:
- Wilton #1 & Wilton #2 are thin and excellent for piping detail, like the jack-o-lantern faces on these Halloween cookies.
- Wilton #3, Wilton #4, and Wilton #5 are larger and easier to work with. I prefer using Wilton #4 for outlining and flooding cookies.
If you’re just getting started with cookie decorating, you can get by with Wilton #1 (smallest size), Wilton #3 (medium size), and Wilton #5 (largest size). You can create any basic designs with just these three!
Piping Tip Sets & Couplers
This 55-piece piping tips set includes all 5 icing tips I recommend above, plus many others that you can use for other buttercreams and frostings. Couplers come in handy when you’re using the same icing color but need to switch tips. Or, if you have multiple colors of icing and only 1 tip, and need to move the tip among bags of icing.
Bag Clips & Ties
This is optional, but having a few bag clips or bag ties on hand is helpful for closing off the ends of your piping bags. Simply fill your piping bag with royal icing to the fill line, give the top a twist, and secure with a bag clip or bag tie. A simple rubber band will work, too. No messy royal icing spillages to worry about, and you can focus completely on your decorating work.
For Fine Detail: Icing Needle Scriber
An icing needle scriber helps to spread & smooth out your icing, and helps create neater edges. A regular toothpick works just as well! If I’m working with a flooding consistency, the piping tip often gets the job done, too.
Sprinkle Details
And for finishing touches, sprinkles are always a must! Sanding sprinklesare sold in most grocery stores in the baking aisle. You can also order them online. I like WiltonorCK Products brands. I also love these naturally colored pastel sprinkles;these snowflake sprinkles;and this holiday sprinkle set is wonderful for Christmas sugar cookies.
Finishing & Transporting
In addition to their functionality for cooling baked cookies, a set of cooling racks is also a handy place to let iced cookies dry. You can place them over a baking sheet (helpful if you need to move your cookies around) or right on the countertop. For transporting your decorated cookies, a cupcake carrier is very handy!
Cookie Crew Shirts!
Why not decorate in style?! These are official Sally’s Baking Recipes shirts, and they come in a variety of colors. Adult sizes and kids sizes available.
Cookie Crew Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Sally’s Baking Recipes
Cookie Crew T-Shirt
Sally’s Baking Recipes
Kids Cookie Crew T-Shirt
Sally’s Baking Recipes
Cookie Crew T-Shirt
Sally’s Baking Recipes
Other Tools & Supplies:
- Cookie Cutters: With so many fun cookie cutter options out there, you can find a design to match pretty much any occasion. I’ve always had luck with Ann Clark brand and Wilton brand cookie cutters. If you’re getting your collection started, thesecookie cutters for every season cover your bases. And theseholiday cookie cuttersare great for the Christmas cookie enthusiast!
- Adjustable Rolling Pin: The adjustable discs make it easy to roll cookie dough out evenly. A regular rolling pin works, too.
Use This List of Supplies For:
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I hope this list of cookie decorating supplies is helpful for your next cookie decorating adventure. I also have a complete list of cake decorating supplies, if you’re looking to add to your collection!
